John Jefferson
Left, center: Ring camera footage allegedly shows two of three suspects who broke into an Aurora, Colorado home on June 12, 2024. Right: Far right: A young boy allegedly struck by armed home robbers is treated by first responders. (Images via YouTube screengrab/KDVR.)
A family in Colorado says a trio of armed robbers posing as delivery drivers forced their way into their Aurora home, pushed and hit their 6-year-old son and choked their 12-year-old daughter, leaving the family terrified and looking to move away while the suspects are still on the loose.
The armed home robbery occurred on Wednesday, June 12 close to 8:45 p.m., near S. Richfield Street when the children of Angelo Medina Rodriguez were at home with a family friend and caregiver, David Hernandez.
Rodriguez and his wife were out.
Ring doorbell camera footage from the family’s home shared with police and reported by Denver FOX affiliate KDVR showed two of the suspects ring the family’s doorbell while holding a packing and then proceed to identify themselves as delivery drivers to the unsuspecting occupants.
The suspects wore construction vests.
Promptly upon opening the door, two men can be seen forcing their way inside with guns drawn. A third man with a face covering appeared to be lurking further back in the parking lot in front of the Rodriguez home but footage shows him quickly bounding up the stairs moments after the first two men get in.
The trio of accused robbers stayed inside for a minute, according to KDVR, but quickly fled to a car parked outside of the home.
They allegedly stole jewelry and personal items as well as cash connected to Rodriguez’s business that he runs out of the home; Rodriguez said he believes this is why he was being targeted.
In an interview with Denver ABC affiliate KMGH, Rodriguez said he called police immediately after he learned of the attack.
Rodriguez said looking back, he didn’t think anything of the late delivery. He had just ordered a video game for his son off Amazon, he said.
Rodriguez said the alleged armed robbers struck and pushed his son causing minor injury and that they choked his daughter, also causing her minor injury.
At least one of the men also grabbed the family friend, David Hernandez, by the neck, Rodriguez said. Hernandez told reporters the men demanded to know “where’s the money” and yelled at them, “We need the money.” Hernandez was able to escape to call for help.
Rodriguez says his family has been traumatized; his daughter won’t come out of her room and his wife doesn’t want to eat.
“There was no need to hurt the kids,” Rodriguez told KMGH in an interview this weekend, adding that now his family is thinking about moving because they are simply so shaken up after the attack and feel unsafe.
Police said they believe the robbers are between 20 and 30 years old. Anyone with tips is encouraged to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers.
They have also reminded the public to be cautious about opening doors to strangers and to remember that delivery drivers typically wear branded uniforms. Normally, you do not need to be home to receive a package, either. Police also recommend using a P.O. box as an alternative delivery method or choosing a “Hold for Pickup” option.
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